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major natural events are preceded by these which may warn of impending disaster.

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Cyclic Events

Natural events that occur at predictable intervals.

Lithosphere

The stiff, rigid outer rind of the Earth

Asthenosphere

The inner, hotter, more easily deformed part of the Earth.

Tectonic Plates

Large blocks that make up the lithosphere

Mantle

The thick layer of material below the thin crust and above the Earth's core. Mostly peridotite in composition in its upper part. Its density approximates 3.2 or 3.3 g/cm cubed in the upper part and 4.5 g/cm cubed in the lower part.

The theory that lithospheric plates that move relative to one another collide in some places, pull apart in others, and slide past one another in still others. These movements cause earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and builds mountain ranges

Divergent Boundary

A spreading plate boundary such as a mid-oceanic ridge. Plates move AWAY from each other.

Convergent Boundary

A tectonic plate boundary along which 2 plates come together by either subduction or continent-continent collision. Plates move TOWARD each other.

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Subduction Zone

convergent boundary along which lithospheric plates come together and one descends beneath the other; often ocean floor descending beneath continent.

Transform Boundary

A boundary marked by a transform fault. Plates slide PAST each other.

Seafloor Spreading

Oceanic crust that spreads apart as lithospheric plates separate.

Trench

An elongate depression in the ocean floor at a subduction zone between 2 tectonic plates and most commonly at the edge of an active continental margin. Many in Pacific Ocean.

Rift Zone

an elongate spreading zone in the Earth's lithosphere.

Collision Zone

The zone of convergence between 2 lithospheric plates

Hotspot Volcano

an isolated volcano, typically not on a lithospheric radar that is indicative of a supercell thunderstorm. The hook shape often indicates development of a tornado.

Continental Drift

the gradual movement of continents as oceans spread and separate.

Mid-oceanic ridge

A high-standing rift or spreading zone in an ocean--for example the mid-Atlantic Ridge or East Pacific Ridge.

Magnetic Field

The area around a magnet which magnetism is felt. Slow convection currents are believed to generate the magnetic field.

Faults

Ruptures in the Earth's crust

Normal faults

A fault (generally steeply inclined) that has the upper block of rock moving down compared with the lower block.

Reverse faults

faults that have the upper block of rock moving up compared with the lower block.

Thrust faults

faults that have the upper block of rock moving up compared with the lower block. The fault surface is more gently inclined.

Strike-slip faults

faults that have relative lateral movement of the 2 sides.

Elastic Rebound Theory

The earth bouncing back upward

Stress

forces imposed on a rock

Strain

change in shape of rock in response to imposed stress.

Foreshocks

Smaller slips preceding the main earthquake.

Aftershocks

small slips to adjust

Offset

The amount of movement of a fault after an earthquake that measures the distance of movement.

Surface Rupture Length

The total length of the break

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